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Photos: Best of Ben Askren

It’s a rare occurrence when Bellator President Scott Coker gets into a public spat with a fighter on social medial. Who’d have predicted this one with Ben Askren?

On Friday, Askren responded on Twitter to a story posted by BJPenn.com in which Coker said Askren was close to joining the Bellator welterweight grand prix even as he remained under contract with ONE Championship prior to being “traded” to the UFC.

Askren called that a “half truth,” claiming all he wanted was to fight champion Rory MacDonald (via Twitter).

Well this is about a half truth from @ScottCoker I wanted to fight Rory. He said no. Simple

It wasn’t long before Coker began to peel back the curtain in an attempt to set the record straight on the process of trying to get Askren to fight under the Bellator banner (via Twitter).

I know you’re used to people not responding to you, but the truth is you & your team were only interested in a one-fight deal & when we asked Bob Cook if you would fight in the Welterweight Grand Prix on a three fight deal – you didn’t want to do it. https://t.co/lwi08ZCfxA

I know you’re used to people not responding to you, but the truth is you & your team were only interested in a one-fight deal & when we asked Bob Cook if you would fight in the Welterweight Grand Prix on a three fight deal – you didn’t want to do it.

I think you are pushing alternative facts here. I can go back and look through old messages/emails, but this sure isn’t the way I recall it. You and I both know Rory vs me looks very similar to Rory vs Gerard. https://t.co/Mb81gjArwA

I think you are pushing alternative facts here. I can go back and look through old messages/emails, but this sure isn’t the way I recall it. You and I both know Rory vs me looks very similar to Rory vs Gerard.